New Legislation Enacted in Tennessee
Several new laws took effect in Tennessee on Wednesday, addressing a range of issues including school screen time regulations, artificial intelligence, child influencers on social media, and the integration of religious teachings in education, all while honoring the legacy of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Restrictions on Hemp Products
A significant law has rendered many popular hemp products illegal as of Wednesday. This legislation limits the THC content in hemp products containing THCa to levels well below what was previously sold in the state. According to sources like WebMD and Recovered.org, THC, or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, is the main psychoactive component in cannabis that produces a high. In contrast, THCa, or tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, remains non-psychoactive in its raw form and requires heat exposure, known as decarboxylation, to convert to THC.
Impact on Local Businesses
Local marijuana business owners in Chattanooga have expressed concerns that this law could hinder their operations. Blair Williams from Grassroots reported a surge in sales just before the law took effect, stating, “We hit $5,000 by 11 o’clock,” as customers rushed to stock up on now-prohibited products. Typically, the store averages around $1,000 in daily sales.
Limitations on Screen Time for Young Students
One of the new regulations aims to limit screen time for elementary school students. Introduced by Tennessee Rep. Michelle Renaud (R-Hixson), this law mandates that school districts serving grades K-5 enact policies regarding the usage of digital devices. This initiative aligns with Renaud’s “Make America Healthy Again” agenda, a broader movement focusing on public health.
Child Social Media Influencer Regulations
A new law introduces crucial regulations for child social media influencers. It prohibits children under 14 from participating in paid video content produced in Tennessee, imposing civil fines of $2,000 on parents and content creators for each violation. Content creators featuring children aged 14 to 17 must maintain financial records and keep a portion of profits in trust for the minors. This measure garnered nearly unanimous support from the General Assembly.
Educational Reforms on Religious Influence
The American Heritage Act permits educators in public and charter schools to teach the positive impact of religion on American history, including its influence on the U.S. Constitution and legal tradition. This law was largely supported by Republican lawmakers and aims to reframe American historical education through a religious lens. Additionally, state officials have initiated a partnership with the conservative group Turning Point USA, seeking to establish student-led organizations in high schools across the state.
Immigration and Employment Regulations
Legislation requiring all state and local governments to utilize E-Verify when hiring has also come into effect. This law grants the Tennessee Attorney General the authority to enforce compliance by withholding state funds from non-compliant local entities. Another immigration-related law introduces misdemeanor charges for Tennessee residents with a final federal deportation order if they do not leave the state within 90 days, stirring controversy and objections from civil rights advocates.
Additional Legislative Changes
Other legislative updates include mandating body cameras for prison guards at Trousdale Turner Correctional Facility due to safety concerns, allowing drivers to remove points from their record by completing driver education courses after a speeding fine, and restricting the use of deadly force for property defense. Furthermore, businesses are barred from marketing AI systems as qualified mental health professionals, with violations punishable by civil fines.
